Glastonbury is a ‘disaster waiting to happen’ with dangerous levels of overcrowding risking a fatal crush, a former festival manager claimed last night.
In an explosive intervention, the whistleblower warned that a catastrophe could take place unless major safety improvements are made.
The insider, who was in a senior management position last year, warned drug-taking was widespread and claimed firefighters were tasked with forcing through crowds to rescue those who have overdosed or collapsed.
‘Worst-case scenario, people are going to die,’ the source told the Mail on Sunday. ‘I think we are going to have some massive issues this year.’
The warning comes less than a month before 210,000 people travel to Worthy Farm in Somerset for this year’s event.
It will feature headline sets from Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX, Neil Young and Rod Stewart.
The capacity of the 900-acre site rose by 7,000 in 2022.
Festival-goers say last year’s event was marred by overcrowding at smaller stages, which led to some areas closing and one act called Bicep being forced to stop their set for 20 minutes amid fears people at the front could be crushed.
A general view of the Glastonbury crowd on June 29, 2024.
The warning comes less than a month before 210,000 people travel to Worthy Farm in Somerset for this year’s event (Worthy Farm pictured in 2024)
Dua Lipa performs her set on the Pyramid stage on June 28, 2024
The insider claims:
- A meeting of bosses was called amid forecasts of dangerous levels of overcrowding caused by tens of thousands trying to see a DJ performance by Charli XCX;
- Amid prolific drug-taking, requests for emergency medical assistance are made every 15 to 20 minutes each night to help those who have overdosed or collapsed;
- Drug-taking is also rife among staff, including some of those tasked with driving vehicles.
Last night the ex-manager, who worked at the site for four years, said he was speaking out as he fears it is a ‘matter of time’ before a tragedy is caused by overcrowding.
‘How has it [Glastonbury] survived this long without a major disaster?’ he said. ‘It’s got to be a mixture of luck and a mixture of good will.
‘The jewel in the UK’s crown is actually something of a ticking time-bomb.’
The source revealed bosses were forced to hold a meeting on the Thursday last year after fearing a serious incident the next night as Dua Lipa finished her set on the Pyramid stage.
The source revealed bosses were forced to hold a meeting on the Thursday last year after fearing a serious incident the next night as Dua Lipa finished her set on the Pyramid stage (pictured)
The insider warned drug-taking was widespread (Pictured: A festivalgoer with nitrous oxide balloons)
They claimed firefighters were tasked with forcing through crowds (pictured in 2024) to rescue those who have overdosed or collapse
Tens of thousands were expected to flood to a much smaller stage called the Levels, where Charli XCX was performing.
But ultimately an emergency plan was not required.
Last night a spokesman for Glastonbury – which denied the firefighters claim and said it tested staff drivers for alcohol and drugs – insisted that it uses a ‘system of robust and dynamic crowd-management planning’, complete with a 500-strong team, which ensures ‘that at all times…crowd safety is at the forefront of everyone’s minds’.
